For a car used just for commuting, I wouldn't be worried about range since my commute is 9 miles one way.

I wouldn't buy an electric car until they drive as nice as sporty IC cars (think WRX or GTI) and are similarly priced. I don't really like the charge times, even though it wouldn't affect me. If electric cars had a common battery that could be swapped in 5 minutes that would really sway me. Then there would be "swap" stations instead of gas stations. I would pull in and swap my depleted battery with a new one and be one my way.

I would like to be in an electric or extended range electric in the near future. My commute is ~40-50 miles per day with the occasional errand running afterwards so a regular electric would work great. If I keep my allroad (I will always keep the Corrado ) in this situation then a small run about would work fantastic as I could use the wagon to do my occasional hauling and car pooling while still having the Corrado for some fun driving.

Really the only reasons I wouldn't have one right now is:

I'm buying a house (hopefully have bought a house soon)
Have a car loan already
Have too many cars between me and my wife
Lack of variety in the US market

For a car used just for commuting, I wouldn't be worried about range since my commute is 9 miles one way.

I wouldn't buy an electric car until they drive as nice as sporty IC cars (think WRX or GTI) and are similarly priced. I don't really like the charge times, even though it wouldn't affect me. If electric cars had a common battery that could be swapped in 5 minutes that would really sway me. Then there would be "swap" stations instead of gas stations. I would pull in and swap my depleted battery with a new one and be one my way.

First of all, I'd need batteries that are dead reliable, which can include some form of some battery replacement program.

I'll take cheap if it offers little else, but it doesn't have to be cheap if it offers something substantial. If it's fast and easy power upgrades are possible, then it becomes appealing in that manner. That's something that really interests me about electric motorcycles. Motorcycles have some attributes like horse riding that make riding appealing, and it'd be even more similar if quiet rides were possible.

Also, I like how these might be incorporated into smart grids...I'd really like to see more movement in this direction.

Originally Posted by apizzaparty

never thought once to use my lefty for the brake. sorry in my opinion it is dumb.

I think electric cars as commuter cars for the general population that don't give a **** about driving are a brilliant idea.

But this concept translates into electric cars that are woefully boring, they look, and are built like the current selection of compact economy cars; an appliance to shuttle people to and from work, and hopefully make them forget they're doing something as dreary as driving. So with the current selection of electric cars (Tesla aside, and possibly the Fisker, just because it looks amazing) its pretty much like asking what would it take to put me in a car that's as exciting as a Camry, but costs a lot more, and in the case of full EVs, is a lot more inconvenient.

So the answer is nothing, until they make something that is comparable to the current fun IC commuter cars, like the GTI, in price, sportiness, looks, features, and convenience. if I want to be economical, I can do that and still have more fun than anybody on the road with my R6, so I'll stick to that.

Don't get me wrong, as I said, I think hybrids and EVs are brilliant for the general population, they just aren't for me as they sit currently.

Its going to be a loooong time before we get there. Hopefully some of the alternative ICE motors will gain some traction with OEMs to bridge the gap between today and the day that electrics aren't heavy, expensive, range limited, and smug.

Though if I get an EV I may sell the Prius for a Sprinter or Transit Connect. Hmmm...

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."
- Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor) "Face of Evil"

I'd have to have a job close to work, and a second car to go the places the electric won't make it too.

It would be cool if we could have city cars electric, and that were cheap. So I can still afford a 2nd car easily enough for actually getting on the freeway. At my current job we have a GEM car. I'd use one for around town, but at the cost of it I could get 10 years of gas before it does anything usefull.

I am just not wanting to jump on the whole "electric car" bandwagon that a lot of people seem to be enamored with...

Mike

Some of us liked playing with electric RC cars and planes and understand them in that regard. Rewinding electric motors, custom dump programming for bursts of power, etc. Hot rodding will have a new way of tinkering with them as they become used cars.

10.2 @ 123 in the quarter:

And sounding like a TIE fighter while doing it. I remember guys hopping up an EV1. Can't wait to see what they do with the Leaf and Volt.

I love cars, but the problem is they are like schroedinger's hobby. They're always in a quantum superstate of being both awesome and a huge waste of time and money... until observation momentarily forces them into one state or another.

All these people mentioning "cost to buy", why wouldn't you look at leasing (if you can make the mileage restrictions work for you)?

You get cool technology now without any longterm commitment issues.
Technology will evolve very quickly. By the time your lease expires batteries should be half the size, twice as efficient, charging technologies should be much better. There will be more competition, so prices should come down... No issues outside of warranty. No dead battery...

You get the benefits today (with today's limitations) and in 3 years you just get a then-current-technology car.

I almost leased a LEAF last year, so not much. A touch more range and I would have done it (as due to where my gf lives and parking restrictions, sometimes I would have to go >150 miles between charges.

I've also been tempted to lease a Volt, but I like no car payments, and I don't need another car.

[QUOTE=Brendan@bwalkauto;76628676]I almost leased a LEAF last year, so not much. A touch more range and I would have done it (as due to where my gf lives and parking restrictions, sometimes I would have to go >150 miles between charges.

I've also been tempted to lease a Volt, but I like no car payments, and I don't need another car.

[QUOTE=roesner;76628518]All these people mentioning "cost to buy", why wouldn't you look at leasing (if you can make the mileage restrictions work for you)?

You get cool technology now without any longterm commitment issues.
Technology will evolve very quickly. By the time your lease expires batteries should be half the size, twice as efficient, charging technologies should be much better. There will be more competition, so prices should come down... No issues outside of warranty. No dead battery...

You get the benefits today (with today's limitations) and in 3 years you just get a then-current-technology car.

Disclaimer... see left

Last edited by NashGTI; 03-28-2012 at 07:05 PM.
Reason: edit to add wheel cost to VW

You can say that about any new car. Should new cars cease to be made because you can get a used car cheaper?

I love cars, but the problem is they are like schroedinger's hobby. They're always in a quantum superstate of being both awesome and a huge waste of time and money... until observation momentarily forces them into one state or another.

You can say that about any new car. Should new cars cease to be made because you can get a used car cheaper?

Without opening a can of worms with my reply, I was just answering why I wouldn't consider leasing an electric. Strictly speaking there's not a new car available I would spend my money on at the moment. The newest vehicle I own is an 03 Hyunda Elantra I paid cash for a couple years back. If you really want to get into specifics cost is not the main reason I wouldn't buy one right now anyway.